Mikhail Mikhailovich Slobodskov was drafted into the Red Army in 1941. In the active army from 1942 until the victory over Germany, he fought on the Bryansk, Central and Belorussian fronts, participated in the liberation of Ukraine and Belorussia and defeated the enemy in Germany. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to Mikhail Mikhailovich Slobodskov on 15 January 1944 for courage and bravery shown during the forcing of the Dnieper, capture and retention of the bridgehead on the western bank of the river.